BT Sport and MTG are among the broadcasters that will show the first-ever live 360-degree coverage of the Champions League final.
The immersive footage of the match between Real Madrid and Juventus, which takes place on 3 June, will be co-produced by Uefa in conjunction with BT Sport.
According to Uefa, approximately five broadcasters will have live coverage of the final in 360-degrees with more set to harvest 360-degree clips from Uefa’s content distribution platform Livex.
Both BT Sport in the UK and Sweden-headquartered MTG (Modern Times Group) launched dedicated VR apps earlier this month (May).
IBC2017 MTG Chief Executive Jørgen Madsen Lindemann will speak at IBC2017 about the blurring of lines between traditional broadcasting and online video as part of a keynote session entitled entitled Fans, Friends and the Future of Broadcasting. Click here for more on this year’s show.
The BT Sport VR app will allow viewers to watch the action in two modes: Cardboard for a “truly immersive VR (virtual reality) experience” and Smartphone mode which will allow viewers to pan around the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Eight 360-degree Nokia Ozo cameras will be positioned around the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
BT Sport viewers will be able to choose which camera they watch the action from, or an ‘auto’ mode will provide a 360-degree produced programme with commentary and graphics.
BT Sport has advised that a minimum line speed of 10Mbps will be needed.
BT Consumer Chief Executive John Petter said: “We believe that VR can offer our viewers an immersive second screen view which will enhance our coverage.
”We’re excited to be broadcasting what we believe to be the biggest multi-camera live 360-degree sporting event ever for the first time to our customers.”
At the end of last week, MTG launched Viareal, a VR app that offers viewers in the Nordic region “immersive and interactive experiences”.
One of the first events to be shown on the app will be the Champions League final.
Highlights of earlier Champions League games have already been published on Viareal with more content to be added ahead of the final.
During the game Viareal users will be able to choose from three cameras.
Viareal will also deliver exclusive VR content and extensions for esports events and for MTG’s broadcast and streamed entertainment offerings.
MTG described Viareal as the latest step in its VR journey; at the 2016 Rio Olympics MTG became the first broadcaster in the Nordic region to show live sport in 360-degrees.
During 2017, MTG’s esports company ESL and Swedish LAN (local area network) gathering DreamHack will offer VR live streams from 14 esports events, including ESL One and Intel Extreme Masters (IEM).
Executive Vice President of MTG AB, Chairman Nordic Entertainment Board and CEO of MTG Sweden Anders Jensen said: “The combination of Viareal and MTG’s storytelling will take the viewer experience to the next level, and the UEFA Champions League final is a spectacular occasion to continue exploring this incredible technology.”
The Viareal app, which has been developed with VFX and VR production firm Digital Domain, is compatible with all up-to-date Android and iOS devices, with Gear VR and with a range of other unnamed headsets.
IBC2017 For more on VR production, VR Masterclass 102 will showcase the most exciting innovations in VR of the last year, as well as a preview the best VR exhibits at IBC2017. It will take place on Thursday 14 September at 16.15
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